About us

Almost two decades ago, a couple of Calgary software developers, who had been working in the seismic technology industry for many years, recognized the need for a better seismic interpretation solution. They formed their company, Zokero Inc. and got to work.

Zokero Inc. launched SeisWare in 1997. SeisWare was the first intuitive seismic interpretation software written for Windows® that included all interpretation tools in one package. SeisWare continues to have the same affordable leasing model as it did when it began; users pay one low annual price, no contract required, and the price includes all upgrades, maintenance and support.

During this same time, a couple of Calgary geoscientists recognized the need for best in class support services in the industry and started their company, Blue Castle Corporation. They wanted a company that focused strongly on employees and also provided the kind of support they always wished they received when they called their software providers; expertise, responsiveness and resourcefulness. Blue Castle initially provided customer support to a number of industry companies including Zokero, but as Zokero’s customer numbers grew, they contracted Blue Castle to support the product full time.

In 2009, after working together for over 10 years, the two companies merged to become SeisWare International Inc. Ed VanWieren, Murray Brack and Ed Chow, three of the original founders are still at the helm of the company. Our Houston office, SeisWare Inc. is run by another long time SeisWare geoscientist, Doug Paul.

In 1996, around the same time SeisWare was born, but further south, a software developer and a geoscientist had very similar story regarding geologic interpretation. Recognizing the need for a more advanced geologic interpretation solution, they founded Austin GeoModeling and developed Recon®, the first 3D geological interpretation application. Recon is the only software product that features patented Cascade Technology® which offers a truly dynamic interpretation environment.

In December 2014, SeisWare International acquired Austin GeoModeling, so now SeisWare and Recon are both products of SeisWare International Inc., ensuring geoscientists can have a truly integrated software solution.

Ed’s always been a passionate software developer and started writing code when he was just 14. He graduated from the Computer Science program at the University of Calgary, and spent most of his career developing software for the oil and gas industry.

In 1997, Ed’s desire to do something fun, innovative and interesting drove him to start his own company. He recognized the need for a seismic interpretation package that was easy to use, ran on a Windows® platform, and solved daily workflow problems for geoscientists.

Ed partnered with another developer to form Zokero Inc., and together they wrote SeisWare interpretation software. Many years later, Ed has partnered with the founders of Blue Castle Corp. to form SeisWare International Inc., and while he no longer develops the product, he’s heavily involved in directing the company and the software.

“We focus on partnering with our customers, not just writing software for them. I love sitting down, hearing their problems and solving their issues. We want to connect the program to the person using it.”

Murray grew up in Calgary AB and graduated as a geophysicist from the University of Calgary. He entered the oil and gas industry with a service company and did seismic data processing for many years. Murray accepted a new position at a seismic interpretation technology company, with the opportunity to run their support team. He took the opportunity to create a support team of experts with domain knowledge that could provide actual geoscience assistance to customers, not just software support. In 1997, with the success of this model, Murray partnered with Ed Chow, who shared his vision, and they started Blue Castle Corporation. Their mission was to create a company that provided outstanding support services and was also a great place to work.

Due to their outstanding support services, Blue Castle was contracted by Zokero to exclusively support SeisWare seismic interpretation software, and SeisWare’s support team is considered the best in the industry.
When Zokero and Blue Castle merged in 2009, Murray became the company’s COO and uses his strong leadership and communication skills to manage the daily operations and management team at SeisWare International.

“We are focused on our relationships with our customers; they’re our partners, not a commodity.”

Ed grew up in Moose Jaw SK, and graduated as a geophysicist at the University of Saskatchewan. Before starting his career in the oil and gas industry, Ed spent two years in the food service industry. The personnel management and development in this industry was so impressive, that Ed was determined to be part of a company that valued people.

Ed moved to Calgary and worked as a geoscientist for a few years before starting his own company, Blue Castle Corp. with partner Murray Brack. With the desire to run a company that valued employees as much as its customers, Blue Castle focused on hiring and developing an exceptional team of geoscientists to support a variety of industry software products. Due to their outstanding support services, Blue Castle was contracted by Zokero to exclusively support SeisWare seismic interpretation software. Ed’s experience, commitment to valuing people and high standards has been indispensable in growing the teams he’s managing, with minimal turnover. The SeisWare support team continues to be the best in the industry.

“I love working in a place where people feel valued and have input. Developing teams, growing their skills and watching them take advantage of opportunities to advance their careers is incredibly inspiring.”

Doug Paul is originally from Sudbury ON, hard rock country, where he first discovered his passion for geoscience. Doug graduated with honors from the Applied Earth Science program at the University of Waterloo, and shortly after, his career took him to Calgary AB. Doug worked as a geoscientist for a number of different companies including Landmark and Photon until 1995 when he started his own consulting company providing interpretation and data management services for a wide variety of exploration companies including Mobil, Shell, Exxon, Chevron and Norsk Hydro.

Doug always had an intense focus on using computer technology to integrate geology and geophysics, so Zokero hired him to consult with them and on the development of SeisWare seismic interpretation software. Doug’s input was critical to ensuring that the product was a valuable daily tool for geoscientists. He joined SeisWare International full time in 2007, and a year later, he opened the SeisWare Inc. office in Houston, where he oversees all operations.

“I enjoy working with clients and helping them best use our tools in ways they hadn’t considered to find oil and gas. My experience has given me a lot of exposure to many different projects and areas allowing me to apply techniques not commonly used in some basins; I feel like I can contribute in some small way to our customers’ success.”

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